Get'em while they're hot! Five hundred or so Vipers will be produced as 2010 models. After that, the future of the Viper is uncertain. However, it is assured that this will be the last production run for this generation. As a send-off for the 2010 car, one of these Vipers—the L.A. show car, to be specific—was taken to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for a record-setting run.

Until a few months ago, a 2008 Dodge Viper ACR held the production-car track record at Laguna. Its mark was eclipsed by an exotic car called the Devon GTX, which just happens to be powered by a Viper engine. Not liking that very much, Chrysler responded quickly, having vehicle dynamics engineer Chris Winkler drive a few laps in a new 2010 ACR and easily knock a second off the record set by Justin Bell in the GTX. Winkler admitted to leaving more time out there, but said he was concerned about getting the car to the L.A. show in one piece.

Of the 500 or so 2010 Vipers to be built, there is no limit on how many will be made as ACR models. All the cars will receive a shorter 5th gear to aid in acceleration, and may help reduce the Nurburgring lap time. The old 5th gear ratio was 0.74, and has been changed to 0.80. What's more, the 2010 Viper also has a short-throw shift lever. As for the ACR, its rear wing profile and end plates have been optimized for better stability. The changes are said to raise the top speed from 180 to 184 mph.

On hand at the record setting lap was the Viper ACR that set the Nurburgring lap time. It is no coincidence that the 2010 Viper ACR that set the lap record at Laguna Seca was the inverted black and red color scheme of that car. The color combination will be a special edition, of which only 33 will be built. Why 33? Because Winkler's lap in the 2010 Viper ACR was a 1:33.915.

That leaves only one change left for the farewell 500—paint. More paint options and stripes will be available in the final year of production for the Viper and ACR. Be sure to note the black on black Viper ACR at the LA show. That's actually the first production 2008 Viper ACR belonging to Ralph Gilles, the new CEO of Dodge. He paid out of his own pocket to have his car, nicknamed Voodoo, upgraded to 2010 status, and the company decided to show it in Los Angeles. Ralph is a Viper enthusiast, and if he has anything to say about it, there will another Viper.